Secretary LOWE did not conduct a ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS as it was felt the self-introductions were adequate and a SIGN IN SHEET was passed around.

Commander Barrett announced that there was NOT A QUORUM of Islands in attendance and therefore Article V would be observed and the members in attendance would set the quorum.

There was a Motion made by Bernie HOGAN and seconded by Fred SURRENCY that in the absence of a majority of the Islands Article V of the By-Laws allows the members in attendance to establish the requirements of a Quorum for this meeting. Therefore the members present constitute a quorum and shall be empowered to act on all matters that may come before this meeting.

By a voice vote ALL ayes and no Nays. This Motion was approved.

Commander BARRETT made the following Appointments or Assignment of Chair-Persons to fill vacant DOFL Standing Committees.

Fred SURRENCY, Island X-4, Orlando was retained as the TIME AND PLACE COMMITTEE Chairman.

Commander BARRETT asks for the DoFL. Secretary to read the MINUTES of the last Executive Board Convention & General Membership meeting, held on 25 April, 2014 or ask for a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and adopt the minutes as printed.

A Motion was made by Mike GENTZ and was seconded by David J. BUCHANAN to waive the reading of the April, 2014 Minutes and accept as mailed with the one correction to the attendance sheet marking John HILLYER, III as absent when he was actually present.

By a voice vote ALL Ayes and no nays. This motion was approved.

Commander BARRETT gave a brief ORAL REPORT on his activities since the last meeting at the Convention and submitted his full report to be part of the minutes.

Commander Barrett called for the DEPARTMENT OFFICER REPORTS in order:

Both Written & Oral written for record purposes.

Secretary LOWE gave a brief oral REPORT on the duties of the Secretary’s office and did not have a written copy at this time.

Treasurer DOUGE’ gave an oral report of the DoFL. finances and did not submit a written copy at this time, but will e-mail it for the minutes.

The Audit Committee Chair-Person John HILLYER, III was not in attendance so there was no audit preformed to report on.

The Budget Committee Chair-Person John HILLYER, III was not in attendance so there was no audit preformed to report on.

The Resolution Committee Chairperson Ken GAMMON gave his oral report and introduced all of the Resolution to be considered.

RESOLUTION A-14 submitted by Commander Carl BARRETT dealt with the Deactivation of an Island within the DoFL.

There was a Motion made by Forrest SUTTON and was seconded by Mike GENTZ to approve this Resolution to be sent to the DoFL membership for approval.

Discussion: There were several opinions on how the assets were to be handled and who was to determine what was NSVA property and what was not. The resolution as written referred to an Article in the National Constitution and By-Laws that dealt with “Disciplinary action” and not deactivation.

Action: The members unanimously thought this situation of Deactivation could be handled better with guidelines spelling out the correct way for Island members to deactivate an Island.

Mike GENTZ agreed to withdraw his second to the motion and Forrest SUTTON agreed to withdraw his Motion.

Commander BARRETT will write a “Standard Operating Procedure” for deactivation of an Island and submit it for review.

There was a Motion made by Forrest SUTTON and seconded by Mike GENTZ that Resolution A-14 be completely eliminated.

By a voice vote ALL ayes and no nays. This Motion was approved.

Proposed Resolution A-15 dealt with the budgetary restraints on the DoFL. Treasury and the elimination of the $1.50 dollar per member paid to the DoFL. Secretary and start a “Petty Cash” fund for the Office’s daily operation.

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There was a Motion by Bernie HOGAN and was seconded by Mike GENTZ to eliminate the $1.50 per member payout and to establish a “Petty Cash” fund.

Discussion: Chuck DOUGE’ asked what it takes for fund the Secretary’s office. John LOWE responded “probably under the $150.00 proposed”.

Secretary John LOWE detailed the operations of Secretary’s office and all he had done over the past year.

Commander BARRETT explained that the $1.50 was a carryover from the National Constitution and the Department does not have the finances to match that payout. A heated debate ensued and the Parliamentarian called time on this issue.

Action: On the motion on the floor a voice vote was held with 10 ayes and 1 nay. This Resolution will be sent to the DoFL membership with a recommendation from the Executive Board for approval.

Proposed RESOLUTION B-15 was submitted by Island X-23 and dealt with the budgetary constraints on the DoFL. Treasury, eliminating the Department Commander and Secretary’s ability to voucher for their lodging at the National Convention and Reunions. There are (2) options to consider on this Resolution. Chairman Ken GAMMON asked author David J. BUCHANAN to clarify the resolutions.

Proposed Resolution B-15 OPTION # 1 deals with the budgetary constraints on the DoFL. Treasury. We can eliminate vouchering for the Department Commander and Secretary as the National (Departmental) Executive Committeeman is already there representing the Department of Florida. Let the Executive Committeeman do the job he was elected to do and let him voucher for the NavySVA convention lodging.

RESOLUTION B-15 OPTION # 2 deals with the budgetary constraints on the DoFL. Treasury. We can eliminate the ELECTED position of National (Departmental) Executive Committeeman and make that position a PERMANENT DUTY OF THE DOFL. COMMANDER, or his designee, with the ability to voucher the Dofl. for lodging only during the NavySVA Convention.

A show of hand was requested to determine which option the membership was most agreeable with and option (2) was selected as the better resolution.

A MOTION was made by Chuck DOUGE’ and was seconded by Joe ANGELLO that Resolution B-15, Option (2), Eliminating the position of National (Departmental) Executive Committee man and giving the duties to the DoFL Commander or his designee, with the ability to voucher the DoFL. for lodging only during the NavySVA Conventions be approved and sent to the DoFL, membership for approval.

By a voice vote ALL ayes and no nays. This Resolution will be sent to the DoFL membership with a recommendation from the Executive Board for approval.

(Resolutions in progress and resolutions that have been requested once approved at Mid-Year must be brought before the Convention General Membership meeting in April 2015.)

The Constitution & By-Laws Committee Chairperson report was not in attendance and submitted no report.

The Nominating Committee Chairperson report was not required for this meeting.

The Awards Committee Chairperson report has not been appointed.

Time and Place Committee Chairman was not in attendance and had no report, but has had inquires about hold a DoFL Convention.

Commander BARRETT called for any other Committee that has a report.

Secretary John LOWE asked to revisit Resolution A-14 to debate the difference between a National and Department Organization. There will be a change of wording to reflect difference between National and Department. John LOWE mentioned that the $1.50 was a carryover from the Dick HOFFMAN era. John stated he was not happy with the action taken.

Commander BARRETT asked for any UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(Has all Island Commanders seen the 43rd. Pre-Convention and the General Membership Meeting minutes.)

Commander BARRETT talked about the poor Attendance to the Department Mid-Year and Convention meetings,

Pre-Convention meeting had 14 Island Members in representation. The Convention General Membership meeting had six Islands out of 14 Islands represented THIS IS SAD!

There is only a minor correction required to page 3 of the 43rd. DOFL Convention General Membership meeting minutes. The website for the Department should read: www.florida-seabees.com.

Commander BARRETT called for a short RECESS at 11:53am.

Commander BARRETT RECONVENED the meeting at 12:01pm.

Vice Commander Mike GENTZ announced that Chaplain Elmer MAYES wife, Ruth MAYES, has just passed away in the care of the hospice. The membership held a moment of Silence in memory of Mrs. MAYES

Commander BARRETT asked for NEW BUSINESS.

A request for continued funding for the continuation of operation of www.florida-seabees.com website approx. $189.50 annually will be due in June 2015.

Funding request will be for two years as before at approximately $379.00 that will carry us into June 2017.

Webmaster’s note; Please send the Webmaster your Island news-letter for your Island’s webpage in WORD format, or in PDF format program that the Department must provide. The Department at present time does not have this program.

A MOTION by Fred SURRENCY and seconded by Robert MARLETTE to continue to fund the DoFL. Website for the two (2) year time frame at $379.00.

By a voice vote ALL ayes and no nays. This motion is approved and does not need to go before the membership at the convention.

Secretary LOWE asked where the money is coming from? The answer was from the money saved from Resolution A-15.

There is still a need for a Host Island for the next Department Convention?

(Got to have a Convention this is a must) Survey # 3 was posted by email to all Islands within the Department and the schedule for the Convention will be two days in accordance with the surveys.

A possible site is Central Florida.

On the Email sent out concerning the ANDERSON Family break in and the stealing of BU2 Michael Anderson’s ID tag that was priceless for his daughter Brandi as that was the only item her father was wearing when he was KIA. (What can we do to assist)? Possible ideas were passed around:

1) Installing an alarm system which is after the fact and they are only interested in the Dog Tags now.

2) Getting replacement Dog Tags.

No solutions were reached.

Bernie HOGAN also informed the group of the Mariana’s Service medal that is available to anyone who served on Saipan, and Tinian of the Marianas Islands.

Clarification on the money from the Convention Banquet was turned in to Joe LEAHY for the SMSA-FSSF, therefore by-passed the regular process submittal process. The amount has not been given proper credit in the “Can Do.”

Commander BARRETT asked for any items for the GOOD OF THE ORDER.

Commander BARRETT responded to a request from Capt. Scott HURST, Executive Officer, NAVFAC Southeast on 10-14-2014 concerning NSVA-DOFL & all Islands Invitation to their SEABEE BALL held in the Jacksonville, FL area every March on the Seabee Birthday.

He would like to invite all Seabee Veterans in the State of Florida to attend their Seabee Ball. He told me they have a large active duty Seabee group attending and had over 300 count last year. Does this give you a thought of recruiting the younger Seabee?

The Seabees there like to speak with former Seabees and have them relate their Battalion or Duty Assignments & experiences to the younger Seabee generation.

Everyone is urged to attend if possible and recruit for the NavySVA.

V. Commander Mike GENTZ volunteered to take care of the acknowledgement for Ruth Mayes flowers or something.

Commander BARRETT asked for any announcements to be made.

The National Convention is to be held 17-19 September 2015, in Branson, MO. More information to follow.

Joe ANGELLO mentioned that the FREEDOM ROSE program is a good way to recruit and raise funds and Island X-2 Lakeland will make up roses for your Island, with tags and roses, for $60.00 per 100 count.

Commander BARRETT announced that “with no further business to become before this meeting, a motion to Adjourn is in order”.

A motion was made by Robert MARLETTE and seconded by Fred SURRENCY to adjourn the 2014-2015 DoFL Mid-Year meeting.

Commander BARRETT asks everyone to stand for a CLOSING PRAYER given by Vice Commander Mike Gentz and a SALUTE TO THE FLAG.

WHEREAS, it is determined necessary that Island Commanders must be aware of the National Constitution addressing this subject,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Navy SEABEE VETEANS OF AMERICA INC., DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA adopt said article as reads below.

“Upon deactivation of an Island, the said Island shall immediately cease operation and shall turn over to the National or Department having jurisdiction of its Charter, all Island property, real and personal. The Department Commander or his/her authorized representative is empowered and directed to take possession, custody, and control of all the records, property, and assets of the said Island: provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as requiring any Department to take over or to assume any financial responsibility as to such property“.

(This proposed resolution was requested by members of the Executive Committee in conjunction with the Resolutions Committee and determined not to be a “minor” change to the document as covered by Resolution A-12).

This Resolution was rejected in its entirety and will become a Standard Operating Procedure.

WHICH STATES: “NSVA, DOFL Secretary shall be allotted an annual compensation of $1.50 dollars per member of the total Depart membership each Fiscal Year.

REVISE TO READ: The NSVA, DOFL Treasurer shall establish a “Petty Cash” fund in the amount of $150.00. The “Petty Cash” fund shall be reimbursed when the DOFL Secretary makes a request by via proper invoice documentation to compensate for expenditures associated with the day-to-day operations of the DOFL Secretarial Office. “Petty Cash” is never to be in excess of $150.00.

WHEREAS: The present payment process is a carryover from the NSVA Articles of Incorporation, National Constitution and By-Laws and National Standing Rules. The

DOFL is not a National Organization and the DOFL membership fund paid out annually by the NSVA does not support in any way the DOFL,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Section B-10.04, Article X, be removed from and replaced with as stated above in the NAVY SEABEE VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC., DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS, STANDING RULES AND APPENDIXES be accepted as submitted and voted on by the Executive Committee and the General Membership of the Department of Florida.

This Resolution is to eliminate the annual $1.50 payout per member to the Department of Florida Secretary and replace it with a “Petty Cash” fund that would be reimbursed with proper receipts never to exceed the total amount of $150.00 dollars.

WHEREAS, it has been determined the DOFL can reduce expenses by rewriting Article X Section B-10.03 and,

WHEREAS, adding the following as paragraph 2 may be an acceptable option to Proposed Resolution B-15. “The NSVA DOFL National Committeeperson shall be authorized to voucher the NSVA DOFL for reimbursement, with proper documentation, for lodging cost of up to four (4) nights, (one room) of the NSVA DOFL and NSVA Conventions. If the National Committeeperson is not able to attend his designee would be eligible for the stated reimbursement.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article X, FINANCES AND ACCOUNTS, B-10.03, paragraph 2 be added to the document.

(This proposed resolution was requested by undated memo from the officers of Island X-23 to the Commander and Secretary, DOFL and prepared by the Resolution Committee Chairman on 09/10/2014.)

This option is to eliminate the vouchering for lodging at the NavySVA Convention and Reunion for the Department Commander and Secretary and allowing the National (Departmental) Executive Committeeman to voucher for his lodging during the NavySVA Convention and Reunion during the performance of the duties of that office.

WHEREAS, it has been determined the DOFL can reduce expenses by eliminating some of the travel requirements placed on the elected and appointed officers of the NSVA DOFL,

WHEREAS, the Department National Executive Committeeperson is voted in as an elected officer other than the Commander and the position can and should be covered by the DOFL Commander,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article V, THE ELECTED OFFICERS, paragraph 1 reading “A NSVA DOFL National Committeeperson shall be elected for a two (2) year term”, be stricken from the document. Any remaining reference to the office of NSVA DOFL National Committeeperson shall also be stricken from the document.

(This proposed resolution was requested by undated memo from the officers of Island X-23 to the Commander and Secretary, DOFL and prepared by the Resolution Committee Chairman on 09/10/2014.)

This option will eliminate the elected position of National (Departmental) Executive Committeeman and make the duties a permanent duty of the Department of Florida Commander or his designee being able to voucher the DoFL Treasury for lodging during the NavySVA Convention and Reunion.

These photos were taken at our Meeting hall at the Chamber of Commerce in Sun City Center Florida. The Ceremony was for three WWII Seabee Veterans who served in the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific in 1942. The Medallion's and Citation's were Dedicated to us by Post Cmdr.. Edgar Tudor of the VFW Post 3457, Saipan, we as Island X16 Co-Sponsored the Dedications.

A special thanks goes to Edwin Foster who without his help to me gave his time and knowledge to asites me to obtain these Medallion's and Citation's for these breave men who served there country proudly in 1942 , making the Seabee's what we are today a proud unit of the United States Navy and the Greatest Nation in the world. Seabee's as always "We Build " "We Fight" and most of all "We Can Do" God Bless these men for there service and God Bless America., Secretary/Editor Island X-16 SCC FL, Frank J Stulic Jr